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Heligoland (in German, Helgoland and in North Frisian, Lun, Hålilönj) is a small, German, triangular-shaped island approximately 2 km long, though a smaller island east of it is usually also included. The islands (population 1,650) are located in the Heligoland Bight or German Bight in the south-east corner of the North Sea, approximately two hours' sailing time from the mouth of the river Elbe.
Heligoland is located 70 km from the German coast line, and actually consists of two islands: the populated 1.0 km² main island (Hauptinsel) to the west and the Düne ("dune") to the east, which is somewhat smaller at 0.7 km², as well as lower, surrounded by sand beaches and not permanently inhabited. They were connected until 1720, when the natural connection was destroyed by a storm flood. The highest point is on the main island, reaching 61 meters from sea level. The two islands are part of the district Pinneberg of the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. The main island has a good harbour and is frequented mostly by sailing yachts.
The island of Helgoland is a geological oddity — the presence of the main island's characteristical red sedimentary rock in the middle of the German Bight is ill explained.
In AD 697, Radbod, the last Frisian king, retreated to the then single island after his defeat by the Franks. By 1231 the island is listed as the property of the Danish king Valdemar IIValdemar II the Conqueror or the Victorious ( 1170- 1241) was the King of Denmark from 1202 until 1241. He was the second son of King Valdemar I, in 1202 he succeeded his brother Canute VI after serving him for many years. He is counted among the greatest. From then until 1714Events August 1 George, elector of Hanover becomes King George I of Great Britain. September 11 Barcelona surrenders to Spanish and French Borbonic armies in the War of the Spanish Succession. The Duchy of Savoy and Piedmont becomes the Kingdom of Sardini ownership switched several times between DenmarkKongeriget Danmark ( In Detail) Motto of the Queen: Guds hjaelp, Folkets kaerlighed, Danmarks styrke (English: God's help, the love of the people, Denmark's strength) Official language Danish Capital Copenhagen Kobenhavn Monarch Margrethe II Prime Ministe and the Duchy of SchleswigThis article is about the region of Schleswig on the German/Danish border. There is also Schleswig, Iowa in the United States of America. The region of Schleswig Slesvig in Danish) covers the area about 30 km north and 40 km south of the border between Ge, with one period of control by the Hanseatic City of HamburgHamburg is Germany's second largest city (after Berlin) and its principal port. The official name Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg recalls its membership in the mediaeval Hanseatic League and the fact that Hamburg is a city state and one of Germany's sixteen. From 1714 the island was Danish until seized by the BritishThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a state in Western Europe, usually known simply as the United Kingdom the UK Britain or less accurately as Great Britain . The UK was formed by a series of Acts of Union which united the formerly in 1807Events February Napoleon attacks Russia February 8 Battle of Eylau Napoleon defeats Russians under General Benigssen February 19 In Alabama, Former Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr is arrested for treason. March 2 The United States Congress during the Napoleonic wars.
Britain gave up the islands to Germany in 1890, and gave up their interests in Madagascar to the French, in return for those countries quitting their claims to the African island of Zanzibar (now a part of Tanzania), largely so the British could intervene there to suppress the slave trade. A "grandfathering"/optant approach prevented the Heligolanders (as they were named in the British measures) from forfeiting advantages because of this imposed change of status.Under the German Empire, the islands became a major naval base, and during the First World War the civil population was evacuated to the mainland. The first naval engagement of the war, the Battle of Heligoland Bight was fought nearby in the first month of the war. The islanders returned in 1918, but during the Nazi era the naval base was reactivated. During the Second World War the islanders remained on the main island, but on 18 April 1945 over a thousand allied bombers attacked the islands leaving nothing standing. The civil population was protected in rock shelters, most of the 128 people killed being anti-aircraft crews. The islands were evacuated the following night.
From 1945 to 1952 the uninhabited islands were used as a bombing range. On 18 April 1947, the Royal Navy detonated 6800 tons of explosives in a concerted attempt to destroy the main island. While the military installations were destroyed, most of the island remained. In 1952 the islands were restored to the German authorities, who had to make a huge amount of munitions safe, landscape the main island, and rebuild the houses before it could be reinhabited.
It is now a holiday resort once again and enjoys a tax exempt status, so much of the economy is founded on sales of cigarettes, alcoholic beverages and perfumes to tourists that visit the islands. The islands are also outside the Schengen area. Its inhabitants are ethnic Friesians who speak (besides German) a distinctive Heligoland variety of the North Frisian language(s).